Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) Interview Questions and Answers:

What are different comonents in PLC?

Answer: 1. Input Interface 2. Memory Section 3. Central Processing Unit (CPU) 4.
Programmable Language 5. Programming tool 6. An output Interface

Advantages of PLCs than Hard wired Relay?

Answer: PLCs are highly reliable, easily programmable, Small and Inexpensive, PLCs can
be designed with the communication capabilities so they can converse wit h the local or
remote computer, They can sustain in robust environment less maintenance.

What is the programmable language used in PLC?

Answer: The general language program consists of Ladder Diagrams. Relay logic co ntrol
scheme is represented in Ladder diagrams. Alternative languages uses Boole an
representation of these control schemes as base of the computer representatio n.

What does Central Processing Unit (CPU) of PLC consists? Answer:

CPU is the brain of the system and consists of Microprocessor:
To carryout arithematic and logical operations
Memory: The area in the CPU in which the information is stored and reterived Power
Supply: The electrical supply that converts the ac voltage to various DC
operating voltages.

What is SCAN in PLC ?

Answer: The sequential operation of the controller that goes through the ladder
diagram from top to bottom of the ladder. In this process it updates all the outputs
corresponding to the inputs. SCAN takes place from left to right of each rung. Usually
SCAN time is in milliseconds and it is a continuous process.

what is plc? Basic function of plc? application of plc in industry?

What is lader diagram ? What is the main advantageto use plc in
industry?

Describe about PLC operation.

ans: Operation of the programmable controller can be considered in two modes, the
I/O scan mode and the execution mode.

I/O Scan Mode : During the I/O scan mode , the processor updates all outputs and inputs
the state of all inputs one channel at a time. The time required for thi s depends on the
speed of the processor.

Execution Mode : During this mode, the processor evaluates each rung of the ladd er
diagram program that is being executed sequentially , starting from the first rung and
proceeding to the last rung. As a rung is evaluated, the last known st ate of each switch
and relay contact in the rung is considered.

Scan time : An important characteristic of the programmable controller is how much

time is required for
one complete cycle of i/o scan and execution. The scan time may have an impact on
the ability of the PLC
to detect events that occur on the inputs.

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What are programmable logic controller design ?

ans: A programmable controller can be studied by considering the basic elements like
processor, the input modules, output modules and the software .

Processor : the processor is a computer that executes a program to perform the o peration
specified in a ladder diagram or a set of Boolean equations. The proces sor performs
arithmetic and logic operations on input variables data and determi ne the proper state
of the output variables.

The heart of a PLC is a microprocessor , much like the ones used in modern perso nal
computers. Because much of the data in PLC operation is processed bit by bit special
microprocessors optimized for such operation.

Input Modules: The input modules examine the state of physical switches and other
input devices and put their state into a form suitable for the processor. The PLC is able
to accommodate a number of inputs called channels.

Modern PLC and the input sensors to which they are connected are much more versa tile.
This is also has a great advantage with respect to electrical safety since the ac power is
not connected to the switches. Many input modules also can be u sed in the networked
environment wherein the input signal arrives as serial digital data encoded with the input
device are connected to the input module, the re sult is that the state of each devices is
presented to the PLC processor.

Output Modules : The objective of the output module is ultimately to supply powe r to an
external device such as motor, light , solenoid and so on as required by the ladder diagram.
Early relay logic sequences were able to provide 120 vac di rectly to device as long as the
power requirement was not too great.

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